Argentina's Angel Cabrera delighted the home fans with a brilliant 65 to head the field at eight under par in the second round of the Argentine Open.

Cabrera made six birdies to put himself closer to winning his first European Tour event after four second places and 17 other top finishes in his five years on tour.

"I like to think of myself as a candidate to win," said the 31-year-old former caddie, a protege of tournament promoter Eduardo Romero.

Romero was four shots off the lead after a 66 that threatened to be much better.

Well placed

The 45-year-old missed three birdie putts and dropped shots at his closing two holes, but he is still well placed to improve on his play-off defeat to Vicente Fernandez last year.

Sitting just two shots behind Cabrera were Englishman Greame Storm alongside another home hope Ricardo Gonzalez and Swedish pair Olle Karlsson and Carl Pettersson.

Storm carded a second-round 66 for a halfway total of six under par 134 at the Jockey Club to stay in contention.